Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Williams.
Ashley, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
The Girls With A Vision Inc. all started with a vision of my own. As a young girl, I saw myself having a mentoring program helping young girls understand the value of education. Being raised by a single mother was the underlying motivation for my drive. My dad was killed in a car accident when I only nine months old. Therefore my mother always made education a priority in our household; she ensured I understood the value of education and the opportunities it can bring to my life. She raised to be as independent as possible. I started setting goals for myself at an early age.
After I graduated from Cedar Grove High School in 2009, I attended Valdosta State University, where I received a bachelor’s degree in Middle-Grade Education. I am the first to graduate from college in my family and I have always wanted to be an educator. I started teaching 7th-grade language arts in 2014. I was very fortunate for being able to wake up and do what I love every day, that is making a difference in the youth.
I continued my education and received my master’s and specialists in teacher leadership at Mercer University. During my first year of teaching, I started a mentoring group at the school called, Girls With A Purpose. The organization provided girls with the opportunity of expanding their leadership skills while giving back to their community. My vision was already becoming a reality. I had been teaching for three years and I had begun to notice my true calling. There was a need for young girls to have positive role models in their life. Schools do not teach the children to become leaders, they teach them to become workers. In the year of 2017, I started The Girls With A Vision Inc. I believe it is my purpose to help as many girls as possible become change agents in their community.
I am very thankful for the support I have received from the community for the past three years. There are three main ingredients I need to stay motivated: family, prayer, and good health. Everything else will fall into place.
Has it been a smooth road?
I have had some struggles along the way; however, I believe everything happens for a reason. What God has for me is for me.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Girls With A Vision Inc. – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
The Girls With A Vision Inc. is 501(c)3 organization created to help young girls enhance their math, literacy and life skills through educational workshops. We hold a Leadership Camp every summer that consists of six workshops based on the various aspects of leadership. During the summer of 2019, I am happy to announce we will host our third annual leadership camp.
My goal is to reach as many girls as possible with this organization. There are so many young ladies who do not have opportunities presented to them because of where they live or their family income. I wanted to create an organization that grants access to opportunities to all girls, despite their socioeconomic status.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I like most about Atlanta, is the black success it withholds. There is so much black excellence in this community. Atlanta is a true example of how anything is possible. You say to yourself: “if she can do it, I can do it.”
Pricing:
- The Girls With A Vision Leadership Camp 2019 $50 Registration Fee
Contact Info:
- Website: thegirlswithavisioninc.org
- Email: gwavision17@gmail.com
- Instagram: thegirlswithavisioninc
- Facebook: The Girls With A Vision Inc.
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
